An Upper East Side kitchen was buzzing with activity as a group of devoted New Yorkers prepared food to spread some holiday cheer.

"There’s lamb and polenta. They are making a gorgeous salad back in the kitchen with mixed greens and dried apricots and goat cheese. It looks beautiful," said Citymeals on Wheels CEO Beth Shapiro. The organization's Christmas operation is now in its 44th year and offered a flawless all-around display.

Volunteers with Citymeals on Wheels got together to help homebound older New Yorkers on Christmas Day. 

Volunteers on the Upper East Side were hard at work Thursday morning at the Carter Burden Luncheon Club and Older Adult Program. Meals were packed up for delivery, and lunch was also set up on site, with performances by carolers and musicians. 

“Maria’s passion for the aging remained undiminished until she died,” said William J. Dionne, executive director of the Burden network. “She was a pit bull, with her passion. She got things done. If she saw injustice, she wanted to see it changed.”

The work that the whole Carter Burden Network does is about change. It’s about seeing things in a new way, seeing people in a new way, and looking at aging as a positive thing and not a negative thing. And all of our programs have that same message. We’re unique in the world. We’ve never actually found another professional gallery that focuses solely on older artists.

Bolívar “Boli” Augusto Bajana celebró su cumpleaños número 100 en el Centro para Adultos Mayores Covello de Carter Burden Network en East Harlem el 2 de agosto de 2024. Boli, miembro de Covello desde hace mucho tiempo e inmigrante de Ecuador, ha vivido en East Harlem desde 1969. Atribuye su salud a comer un plátano al día.

Bolivar “Boli” Augusto Bajana celebrated his 100th birthday at Carter Burden Network’s Covello Older Adult Center in East Harlem on August 2nd, 2024. Boli, a long-term member of Covello, has never been hospitalized and can still read without glasses. He enjoyed his celebration surrounded by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all his friends at Covello.

Bolivar “Boli” Augusto Bajana celebrated his 100th birthday at Carter Burden Network’s Covello Older Adult Center in East Harlem on August 2nd, 2024. Boli, a long-term member of Covello and an immigrant from Ecuador, has lived in East Harlem since 1969. He attributes his health to eating one banana a day.